Sliding door construction



I C. G. JOHNSON SLIDING DOOR CONSTRUCTION Filed March 27, 1929 2 SheetS-Sheet 1 INVENTOR ATTORN EY-s July 23, 1935. c. e. JOHNSON SLIDING DOOR CONSTRUCTION Filed March 27, 1929 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR ATTO RN EY-S Patented July 23, 1935 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE SLIDING DOOR CONSTRUCTION Clarence G. Johnson, Hartford City, Ind. Application March 2'1, 1929, Serial No. 359,194

23 Claims.

The present invention pertains to a noveldoor construction of the sliding type wherein a door consisting of panels hingedly connected together is equipped with rollers extending into adjacent 5 rails having portions lying vertically along the edges of the door opening and continuing in a horizontal direction" at the top of the door open-. ing, so that the door proper will be moved to the horizontal portion of the rails when opened.

Doors of this general type have adjacent panels hingedly connected to permit the door to move generally linearly along the rails or track in moving from the active frame closing position to the inactive horizontal position, the operating connections generally leading from the lower panel or section. Since the rails which form the track are practically arcuate linearly to provide the connection between the vertical and horizontal flights of the track, the arrangements for supporting the sections on the track are generally such as to permit such supporting structures to readily traverse the arcuate flight of the track.

Where the head room is adequate the supports can be arranged to be located in the vertical flight of the track when the door is in its closing position, but where such head room is restricted, the position of the horizontal flight must be such that a support for the upper panel, in the active closing position of the door may extend into the arcuate flight, thus requiring an increased bracket lengthfthe result being that in the inactive positionof such upper panel, the panel the head room is small, such projection may interfere with the "proper movement of the door between its active and inactive positions.

Torrieet this condition it has becoinethe practice to liin'it the usual bracket and roller c'onnec 40 hinging connection with the adjacent panel, provision being made, as illustrated in the disclosure of the patent to Dautricket al., No. 1,508,886, 1

dated September 16, 1924, for shifting such panel into its active position by the travel of the door, the arrangement permittingthe panel to more nearly approach the track when the panel is in its horizontal inactive position. It is also desirable that the lower panel be 60 ,free atits lower edge, since the operating connections tend to raise this edge relative to the track when thedoor is in its inactive position. However, completefreedom of movement of these end panels is-;not desirable since neither panel should swing on its axis suillcient to aflect will project materially above'the track, and where tion of the upper panel with the track to the structure, showing the door in closed position;

operating conditions during travel into the inactive position of the door, and, to aid in meeting the head room conditions, it is desirable that the, variation in travel path of these panels, as compared withthe travel paths of the intermediate 5 panels, should be somewhat limited but at the same time permit movement of these panels to the active position of the door.

- Obviously, with the upper and lower panel sections swingingly mounted so 'as to permit move- 10 ments thereof as a part of the door structure, in paths varied from the relatively fixed paths oi travel of the intermediate panel sections, the eifect of the panel weight diflers when the swingable panel is moved from the vertical to the horil5 zontal flight of the track. In the vertical flight the weight is eifective in the direction of the plane of the door while, in the horizontal flight, the weight is effective transverse to such plane. Hence, provision is made to limit such swinging movement, especially of the upper panel, when in the horizontal flight position, since the upper panel is not connected to the operating connections as is the lower panel, the swinging limitation of the latter being for'a different reason.

It is to meet ,this general condition that the present invention has been developed, the latter being designed to provide eflicient and simple means which will ensure the emcient operation of the door, whether the latter be in its active 30 or its inactive position or travelling between these positions.

The invention is fully disclosed by way of example in the following description and in the accompanying drawings, in which- 35 Figure, 1 is an inside front elevation of a door equipped according to the invention;

Fig. 2 is a perspective view of one of the lower corners;

Fig. 3 is a vertical cross section of the door and Fig. 4 is a similar section showing the door in open position.

Reference to these views will now be made by use of like characters which are employed to designate corresponding parts throughout.

In the several figures is shown a door frame I for a garage or similar structure and topped by a header 2. Along the vertical sides of the door are arranged rails I secured at their lower ends to the bottom of the door frame by brackets 4 and secured to the upper part of the door frame by plates or brackets 5. In the vicinity of the top of the door frame, the rails are'curved inwardly of the structure as at 6 and then are continued horizontally as at I. A horizontal structure 8, such as the roof or rafters of the building, is disposed at a higher level than the header 2, and carries hangers 9 by which the horizontal portions 1 of the rails are suspended.

The door structure consists of a series of panels I!) held together by hinges I I. The end hinges are formed with extensions or brackets l2 carrying rollers |3-received in the rails. It will be seen that these brackets are of progressively increasing length from the lower edge of the door upwards and that the substantially vertical portions 3 of the rails slope, this arrangement compensating for the inclination of. the track vertical flight relative'to the plane of the door frame.

The operating means for the door includes a pulley i4 mounted over the header and another pulley 15 carried by the free ,end of a spring I6 disposed beneath the horizontal structure 8 and having its remaining end anchored as at H to one of the rearward hangers 9. A cable l8 has one end flxed to a bracket or lug l9 adjacent the pulley l4 and is trained over both pulleys and then carried to the lower end of the door. lower corner of the door carries a corner plate 28 as shown in Figures 1 and 2, and this plate is formed with a lug 2| to which the lower or free end of the cable I8 is attached. The door is equipped with a handle 22 by which it may be raised or lowered, and the spring l6 acting on the cable [8 serves as a balance. It will be seen that such a balancing device including the spring, pulleys and cable is provided at each side of the door. I

The upper door panel is hingedly connected to the panel below it by the hinges II, with the rollers I3 thereof travelling in the track, as indicated. This hinging condition is not present at the opposite edge of this panel, so that, unless means be provided to prevent, such panel would be free to swing on its hinging axis, through an extended arc approaching 180. While swinging of this panel is desirable, as presently described, the length of the arc of swinging movement is limited 'to such extent as to limit the variation from the path of movement of the adjacent panel and at the same time provide for the proper p0- sitioning of the panel relative to the door frame when the door is in its active position. This result is obtained in the structure now to be described. 1 v

The upper panel, indicated at 23, is provided with brackets 24 located intermediate its opposite edges and adjacent the end margins of the panel, these brackets preferably projecting rearwardly beyond the track, as indicated. Hingedly connected with each bracket 24 is an arm 25 having a length greater than the distance between the bracket and the free edge of the panel, the free end of said arm carrying a spindle 28 on which is mounted a roller 21 which travels in the track similarly to rollers I4. Hence, as indicated in Fig. 4, the panel 23, when in the horizontal flight, will have its free edge resting on arms 25 at a point intermediate the ends of the latter, the arrangement being such that the free edge of the panel is dropped from a position in the plane of the intermediate sections of the door, producing the conditions of a-small variation from such plane.

When the door is shifted from this position, the several rollers l3 controlling the path of travel of the intermediate panels, as well as the hinged edge of the upper panel, traverse the arcuate Each flight of the track in passing to the vertical flight. Since, however, rollers 26 are located a distance beyond the free edge of the panel, it will be understood that in the present embodiment ofthe invention, these rollers 26 do not traverse the entire length of the arcuate flight, so that when the rollers l3 at the hinged edge of theupper panel pass through the arcuate flight, the inclina tion of this panel differs from that of the adjacent panel in traversing this flight, the path of travel of the free edge of the upper panel being less remote from the track zone than the hinged edge. And since rollers 26 are still in the horizontal flight of the track as the rollers of the hinged edge are completing the travel through the arcuate flight, it will be understood that the free edge of the upper panel must be given a greater amplitude of movement in order to permit it to reach the plane of the door in active position. To provide this movement the following arrangement is usable:

The securing plates 5 for the rails or tracks are extended inwardly beyond the tracks a dis tance sufficient to permit the location therein of an open-ended slot 28 sloping downwardly in the direction of the door opening. The hinging pin 3| for the arm 25 is extended so that when bracket 24 approaches the position of the open end of the slot 28, the projecting end of the pin enters the slot and rides therein as the door continues to advance to closing position. Since plates 5 are fixed, as are the positions of slots 28, it can be understood that the entrance of pins 3! into slots 28 takes away the control which arm 25 previously had over the path of travel of the free edge of the upper panel.

In actual fact, the engagement of pins and slots begins a swinging movement of the upper panel which raises the free edge of the panel from arms 25 and shifts such edge toward the closing plane of the door, this swinging movement being provided by the door advancement to its closing position. Slots 28, with pins 3|, thus act as camming means for shifting the free edge of the panel from its inactive position in contact with arms 25 to its active position in contact with the door frame, the slots having a configuration to produce this result, and preferably having an inner end configuration, such as 30, to not only tend to anchor such edge against inward movement, but to permit freedom of movement under service conditions.

As will be understood, arms 25 constitute a supporting means for the free edge of the upper panel while the latter is in the horizontal flight travel zone, and serve to hold the inclination of the panel within a range such that the pins 3| will approach and enter the open ends of slots 28 as the door is advanced. When the pins enter the slots the armscontinue to travel onward with the door but are inactive as a support for such free edge remaining inactive until the door is shifted in the opposite direction, becoming active as the pins 31 leave slots 28. And since the arms are connected to brackets 24 and rollers 21 travel in the track, it will be evident that the supporting means moves in synchronism with the door throughout the length of movement of the latter linearly of the track, with 'the supporting means movement provided by the door movements. Thus, the arms, serve actively as such supporting means while the panel is in the horizontal flight zone.

in a zone of the door travel leading to the closed position of the door, the zone being of extended length and determined by the length and position of slots 28. While the supporting means is inactive within this zone, it moves with the door and is thus in position to again become active whenever the pins 3| leave slots 28 during return movement of the door.

The camming meansprovided by the projecting ends of pins 3| and slots '28is designed to shift the upper panel between its vertical position and the position it occupies in travelling on its support. This shift for the intermediate panels is provided by the arcuate flight of the track through roller engagement at opposite edges of such panels. Due to the swinging mounting of the upper panel, individual means for this shift is provided, and hence the plates 5 are located in such position that the slots 28 become active in connection with the comfilemental elements (the projecting ends of pins 3|) at such point in the travel of the door as will ensure the completion of this shift not later than the period when the remainder of the door is properly positioned relative to the door frame; to meet possible service conditions, the extension 30 of slot 28 is provided so that excessive wedging will not take place should the shift be complete in advance of complete positioning of the door.

The slots 28 are arranged to provide this shift in an orderly manner, with the free edge of the panel having a path of travel which is a limited variation from that of the intermediate panels so that swinging movement will not interfere with the structure above the track.

Pin 3|, in the embodiment shown, serves the dual purpose of providing the hinging pintle for arm 25 as well as the complemental camming member, thus utilizing a single member for both services, an advantage in the production of door assemblies. However, the services are distinct, the hinging action being continuous while the camming service is active only within the zone referred to, the projecting end of the pin being inactive outside of this zone.

By this arrangement, the support for the panel travels in synchronism with the door throughout the door movement, as does the projecting end of the pin 3|. However, the arrangement is such that the support is active as such when the pin end is inactive, this activity condition reversing when the pin end begins its camming activity with slot 28. And while both support and pin end are each opposedly active and inactive individually and' collectively, both have this travel synchronism with'the door, the change between activity and inactivity of each taking place during travel of the door bet .leen its extreme positions, one being active in one extreme while the other is active in the other extreme position of the door.

The lower panel of the 'door, also having the of the corner plates 20 and attached by means of pivot pins to similar lugs on the arms 34. The free end of each arm 34 carries a spindle 36 on which is mounted roller 31 adapted to ride on the track. In closed position of the door the track holds arm 34 in contact with the door so that the structure acts similar to the remaining brackets and rollers of the intermediate panels at such time. when, however, the door travels upwardly to the point where the hinged edge rollers traverse the arcuate flight and thus begins the shift of this panel from the vertical flight to the horizontal, the shift is limited by the length of arm 34 which prevents the free edge of the panel from completing the shift made by the hinging edge of thepanel, so that the lower panel, as with the upper panel, does not rest in the plane of the intermediate panels of the door when the latter is in the horizontal flight, this feature being indicated in Fig. 4.

Hence, panel 34 may lie over the arcuate flight of the track without setting up interference. The upper and lower panels thus assume positions out of the plane of the intermediate panels in horizontal position, but the variations are comparatively small and tend to reduce possibilities of interference in the head room. Such variations are present because of the limited swinging possibilities of the free edges of these panels, with these edges having paths of travel varied some- ,what from each other and from those of the intermediate panels as well as the hinged edges of the panels themselves.

Although a specific embodiment of the invention has been illustrated and described, it will be understood that various alterations in the details of construction may be made without departing from the scope of the invention as indicated by the appended claims.

.What I claim is: 1

1. In a door construction comprising a door frame having a door opening, hingedly connected door panels at said opening, a track having a vertical portion along said opening and a horizontal portion over said opening, rollers carried frame having a door opening, hingedly connected door panels at said opening, a track having a vertical portion along said opening and .a horizontal portion over saidopening, rollers carried by said panels and adapted to ride on said track, an arm having one end hingedly attached to the lower panel, a roller carried by the free end of' said armand adapted to ride on said track, and a door lifting cable attached to the lower portion of said lower panel.

3. In a door construction comprising a door frame having a door opening, hingedly connected door panels at said opening, a track having a ventical portion along said opening and a horizontal portion over said opening, rollers carried by said panels and adapted to ride on said track, a bracket secured on the inner face of the upper panel, an arm havin one end hingedly attached to said bracket, a re er carried by-the free end of said arm and adaptedto ride on said track, a plate carried by said door frame near the upper end thereof, said plate having a slot inclined downwardly towards said frame, and a pin carried by said bracket and adapted to ride in said slot.

4. In a door construction comprising a door frame having a door opening, hingedly connected door panels at said opening, a track having a vertical portion along said opening and a horizontal portion over said opening, rollers carried by said panels and adapted to ride on said track, a bracket secured on the inner face of the upper panel, an arm having one end hingedly attached to said bracket, a roller carried by the free end of said arm and adapted to ride on said track, a plate carried by said door frame near the upper end thereof, said plate having a slot inclined downwardly towards said frame, and a pin carried by said bracket and adapted to ride in said slot, said pin constituting the hinge pin between said bracket and the arm connected thereto.

5. In an overhead door construction of the class described, a plurality of hingedly connected shiftable door panels, guide rails for directing said panels from a substantially vertical position to a substantially horizontal overhead position, lifting means attached to an extension on the lower door panel, guiding means positioned at the lower corner ofthe lowermost door panel, said guiding means being movable along one of said .guide rails, and a shiftable support for sa d guiding means, whereby said guiding means may be shifted laterally of the door panel to prevent said extension from binding on said guide means.

6. In an overhead door construction of the class described, a plurality of hingedly connected shiftable door panels, guide rails for directing said panels from a substantially vertical position to a substantially horizontal overhead position,

lifting means attached to an extension on the.

lower door panel, guiding means positioned at the lower corner of the lowermost door panel, said guiding means being movable along one of said guide rails, and a pivotal mounting for said guiding means, whereby relative movement may be efiected between said guiding means and the door panel with whichit is associated, to prevent said extension from binding on said guide means.

'7. In door structures, wherein the door is movable between a vertical active position relative to a door frame and a horizontal inactive position,

and wherein the door is formed of a plurality of panels or sections withadacent sections h'ngedly connected, the combination with a track having substantially vertical and-horizontal flights joined by an arcuate flight, and such door having brackets carrying rollers co-operating with the track and operative in guiding intermediate door sections in substantially .fixed paths of movement of the door between such positions, the upper panel of the door being movable in a path varied from such fixed path, of means movable in speed synchronism with and by door travel-for supporting the upper panel while the latter is traversing the horizontal flight of the track, said means being controlled in its path of movement by the track, and means for rendering said supporting m ans inactive within'a zone of extended length of such panel travel leading to a panel position completing the active closing position of the door, said latter means being rendered active within such zone by door travel and being operative to shift the panel to vary its relation to the track Irom that presented when the panel is in the horizontal flight of the track to. that presented when the panel is in its active position relative to the door frame as a portion of the closed door.

8. Adoor structure as in claim 7 characterized tioned means corresponds in position in the panel travel path of the upper panel to earlier positions of the travel path of intermediate panels provided by traversing the arcuate flight.

9. A door structure as in claim 7 characterized in that the second-mentioned means includes a camming element permanently positioned to become active during the period when the upper panel is traversing a zone within which the arcuate flight of the track is located.

10. A door structure as in claim '7 characterized in that the second-mentioned means includes a permanently-positioned camming element and a complemental element carried by and movable with the upper panel.

11. A door structure as in claim '7 characterized in that the second-mentioned means includes a permanently-positioned camming element and a complemental element travelling with the supporting means.

12. A door structure as in claim '7 characterized in that the second-mentioned means includes acarrying a complemental member co-operative with the slot during the period of means activity within the zone of inactivity of the supporting means.

14. A door structure as in claim 7 characterized in that the second-mentioned means includes a permanently-positioned camming element, the door carrying a complemental element to cooperate therewith during the period of means activity within the zone of inactivity of the supporting means.

15. A door structure as in claim 7 characterized int-hat the second-mentioned means includes a permanently positioned element having a camming slot of a contour varied from that of the length contour of the arcuate flight, the upper panel of the. door carrying a pin adapted to cooperate with the slot during the period of means activity within the zone of activity of the supporting means.

16. A door structure as in claim 7 characterized in that period of supporting means inactivity is provided during the last stage of door travel to its active closing position and during the first stage of the door travel away from such active closing position.

1'7. A door structure as in claim 7 characterized in that the supporting means includes an arm pivoted to and movable with the door, with the arm carrying track-engaging roll at its free end, the arm having a length to permit the free edge of the upper panel to contact therewith intermediate the ends of the arm.

18. A door structure as in claim '7 characterize in that the supporting means includes an arm pivoted to the door structure and having a tracksupported roller at its free end, the upper panel resting upon said arm during the period of supvaried from that of the contour of the arcuate flight, with the closed end of the slot extended in a direction substantially parallel with the doorframe, and a complemental element carried by the door and co-operative with the slot within the zone of supporting means inactivity.

20. In door structures, wherein the door is m vable linearly between a vertical active position relative to and closing a door frame and a horizontal inactive position, and wherein the door is formed of a plurality of panels or sections with adjacent panels hingedly connected, the combination with a track having substantially vertical and horizontal flights connected by an arcuate flight, and such door having brackets carrying rollers co-operating with the track and operative in guiding the intermediate panels of the door in its movements between such active and inactive positions, the end panels of the door being swing-- ingly mounted on their hinged connections, of means carried by the upper and lower panels respectively independent of the hinging connections of the panel and co-operative with the track for controlling the movements of such panels in traversing the zone of such arcuate flight, said means including swinging arms, and rollers carriedbyv such arms and co-operativ'e. with the track, said arms permitting a limited variation in the travel paths of such panels as compared with intermediate panels during movement of the door relative to the arcuate flight, whereby door travel between its active and inactive posithe lower panel.

23. A door structure as in claim 20 characterized in that means are provided for rendering the arm and roller of the upper panel inactive in the control of upper panel movement by the track during a zone of travel of the door during movement of the door from its active closed position.

CLARENCE G. JOHNSON 

